E 407a Processed eucheuma seaweed - EU specification

PES (acronym for processed eucheuma seaweed). The PES obtained from Euchema cottonii is generally called kappa PES and the PES from Euchema spinosum iota PES.

Definition

Processed eucheuma seaweed is obtained by aqueous alkaline (KOH) treatment at high temperature of the strains of seaweeds Eucheuma cottonii and Eucheuma spinosum, of the class Rhodophyceae (red seaweeds) followed by fresh water washing to remove impurities and drying to obtain the product. Further purification may be achieved by washing with an alcohol. The alcohols authorised are restricted to methanol, ethanol or propan-2-ol. The product consists chiefly of the potassium, sodium, magnesium and calcium sulphate esters of galactose and 3,6-anhydrogalactose polysaccharide. Up to 15 % algal cellulose is also present in the product. The wording processed eucheuma seaweed is reserved to the non hydrolysed or otherwise chemically degraded polymer. Formaldehyde may be present up to a maximum of 5 mg/kg.

Description

Tan to yellowish, coarse to fine powder which is practically odourless